Orientation FAQ
What do I eat during Orientation?
Meals during Orientation are planned and provided as a part of Orientation programming.
How much does Orientation cost for new students?
To cover a portion of the cost of Orientation, all new first-year and transfer students are charged a one-time fee of $165. This fee will be charged directly to your student account.
Is Orientation a requirement for all students?
Yes! Orientation is a crucial part of the transition period to college life and navigating Butler, so it is important for all new students to participate.
All new and transfer students will participate in required Orientation programs the week of August 24 – 27, 2024.
Students will be integrated into Orientation groups based on their First Year Seminar classes where they will be mentored by a returning Butler student called a Student Orientation Guide. During Orientation, students will learn about campus resources, get to know their college and department, meet faculty and staff, build community with one another, have fun in social programming and prepare for their first year at Butler!
Information will be updated via the Orientation website as it is confirmed, and also through the @ButlerOrientation Instagram account and TikTok account.
Questions can be directed to orientation@butler.edu.
What online information should I reference before coming to campus?
You are off to a great start by visiting the Orientation website!
- Your Butler Email (@butler.edu)
- Butler Bulletins sent to your email bi-weekly
- New Student Orientation Canvas Course (to be opened in late July)
- Nearpeer – a social media app for Butler students to connect (and there’s a family side too!)
Are there programs for students to participate in after move-in?
The Office of New Student & Family Programs will feature family engagement during move-in weekend (Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25, 2024) for new, transfer and sophomore students. These programs will feature opportunities to connect with other families, meet campus faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as learn about campus resources.
Information will be updated via the Orientation website as it is confirmed, and also through the @ButlerOrientation Instagram account.
Questions can be directed to orientation@butler.edu.
Do I have to do anything before Orientation and move-in?
All new and transfer students will be required to complete a series of online educational modules for campus and community resources this will include information from the following source and others:
- Student Life resources
- Academic support
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Sexual Assault prevention
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Other special topics
The New Student Orientation Canvas Course will open in late July.
Are there programs for families to participate in during Orientation and move-in?
The Office of New Student & Family Programs will feature family engagement during move-in weekend (Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25, 2024) for new, transfer and sophomore students. These programs will feature opportunities to connect with other families, meet campus faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as learn about campus resources.
Information will be updated via the Orientation website as it is confirmed, and also through the @ButlerOrientation Instagram account.
Questions can be directed to orientation@butler.edu.
How do I access the Butler App?
The Butler App is available for download on both Apple and Android phones. To access this efficiently, use your Butler log-in and password. This app will update constantly and can offer information regarding schedules and services.
Should I activate my Butler email before coming to campus?
Yes! The Butler (@butler.edu) email is a great way to get started communicating with peers, staff, faculty and more. This will also be used frequently to distribute important information regarding your Orientation check-in, move-in time slot/information, personalized orientation schedule, and more.
Where do I find my Orientation schedule?
As we near Orientation, students will be able to check my.butler.edu/orientation for individualized versions of their Orientation schedules.
How can I get involved on campus?
Butler University is home to more than 150 recognized student groups; each planning events that contribute to our vibrant social environment. To learn more about our recognized student groups and to view a calendar of their upcoming events, student should visit Butler Engage. Butler Engage is our virtual center for everything involvement.
Beyond Butler Engage, one of the first opportunity that occurs annually to learn more about our student groups is the Student Organization Block Party to be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 on the Atherton Mall.
How do I join Marching Band, Color Guard or a Music Ensemble?
All concerns about band can be directed to Trae Blanco.
If you would like to join the Marching Band, please register in course WB 140. For Basketball Band, please register in course ES 171.
There are virtual drumline auditions for marching band with videos due July 17, 2024. Please contact Melissa Johnson by email or at 317-940-9876 for more information about auditions. More information can be found on the athletic bands website.
Music majors AND any student interested in participating in orchestra, concert band, or choir should view the virtual audition instructions. Questions? Email music@butler.edu.
- Incoming students interested in joining a choir do not need to audition. You can simply register for University Choir (ES 117).
- Questions about Wind Ensemble can be answered by Michael Colburn.
- Questions about the PCA for choral ensembles should be directed toward Becky Marsh.
Where can I find student employment?
For on-campus employment information, go to the On-Campus Student Employment site here: Student Employment at Butler. You can also log into Butler’s online job search portal, Handshake, to search for on-campus jobs. Every fall semester, Butler’s Office of Student Employment hosts the “Get Hired!” job fair with on-campus part-time job opportunities. The fair is typically set for the second day of Fall classes from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. As soon as it is confirmed, notifications will appear on the Handshake “Fairs” tab and on the On-Campus Student Employment webpage. For questions, contact Butler’s Student Employment Coordinator Lorraine Phillips Vavul.
When will my financial aid appear on my bill?
Financial aid will be credited to the student’s account on the fifth day of class. You are encouraged to compare your Statement of Student Account and your Financial Aid Offer located in Student Financial Planning for accuracy.
What do I need to do for my student loans?
Students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are eligible for Federal Direct Loans. To borrow the offered loans, you must:
- Accept your loans on your Student Financial Planning Tool
- Complete Subsidized/Unsubsidized Entrance Counseling and
- Sign a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note (MPN)
What do I do with my outside scholarship check?
You must report receipt of outside scholarships to the Office of Financial Aid by sending a copy of the scholarship letter to finaid@butler.edu. Once you receive your physical outside scholarship check, please send the check to the Butler Office of Financial Aid 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208 so it is credited to your student account properly.
Unless the donor advises differently, any scholarships in the amount of $500 or more will split evenly between the fall and spring semesters.
I still have a balance on my account, what can I do?
Butler University offers a range of programs to help families pay for educational expenses. These programs include:
- Butler Office of Student Accounts Payment Plan
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Parents
- Private education loans.
Additional information about these programs is available online. Reach out to your financial aid counselor to ask question or discuss the options available.
Do I need to file the FAFSA every year?
The Butler University Office of Financial Aid recommends students file the FAFSA every year to receive maximum consideration of all aid. Students should file each year before April 15th to maximize their need-based financial aid options.
How do I contact my financial aid counselor?
Students are encouraged to contact their financial aid counselor with questions regarding the financial aid process. To find your assigned counselor please visit our staff page and use the More About Link in the staff profile.
Visit Information Technology online
How can I get help with technology?
The IT Help Desk assists students with a variety of technology questions and issues. Have a question? First, search ask.butler.edu. Can’t find the answer to your question? Submit a case for Information Technology and a technician will contact you.
What do I need to know about technology on campus?
Check out the Quick Start for New Students page for information about how to set or change your password, access your Butler email, print on campus, access campus wireless, and more!
What do I need to do to prepare my technology before moving to campus?
Check out the Prepare for Move-In Guide from Butler Information Technology. This guide includes information about how to prepare your existing technology before moving to campus, what technology you should bring and leave at home, and how to access discounts on computers and software.
Where do I access information about my classes?
Butler uses a cloud-based learning management system called Canvas for course materials. Those new to Canvas are encouraged to access and work through the Canvas Student Orientation which consists of short videos and text instruction. Another helpful resource is the Canvas Student Guide for just-in-time help with specific features of Canvas. Please note that not all Butler instructors elect to utilize Canvas. Your instructor will communicate the location of course materials.
Visit the Center for Global Education online.
Why should I study abroad?
There are many personal and professional reasons to study abroad. Most past participants have said that studying abroad helped them focus their academic and career goals, taught them about living and working with people of different cultures, and even taught them more about themselves. Study abroad provides an opportunity to develop your leadership skills and gain new skills. Studying abroad also enhances your preparation for living in a culturally diverse social environment and working in a global marketplace.
Can I use my financial aid while abroad?
Yes, but there are restrictions on the type of aid you can use while abroad. Regardless of the type of program you choose, you will continue to pay Butler University tuition for the semester you are abroad (instead of the cost of the program listed on their website). Your federal, state, and outside scholarships/grants/loans will continue to apply to all types of programs, as allowed. In regard to your Butler institutional scholarships and grants:
- If you select a semester-long reciprocal Exchange through Butler or ISEP, then 100 percent of your Butler financial aid will apply toward the cost of tuition.
- If you select a semester-long Faculty-Led program (Centre program or Butler Semester in Spain), then 100 percent of your Butler financial aid will apply toward the cost of tuition.
- If you choose to study on a semester-long 3rd Party Provider program, then 50 percent of your Butler financial aid will apply toward the cost of tuition (only for that semester).
- If you are planning on going abroad on a summer study abroad program, financial aid for summer is limited. It typically includes loan assistance and sometimes a federal grant. Summer study abroad is similar to summer school – you can learn more on Butler’s Summer School Aid webpage.
If you have questions as to how a certain type of study abroad program will affect your financial aid for that semester, please reach out to Financial Aid directly.
Who can help me decide whether study abroad is for me?
- The Center for Global Education’s Associate Director for Study Abroad and the Study Abroad Advisor, experienced professionals in the field of international education.
- Faculty members, many of whom have extensive international experience and advised other students on reasons to take some of your courses in a foreign environment.
- 3rd Party Provider and university representatives, who can point out the particular features of the programs they offer.
- Butler students who have returned from study abroad.
Where do I begin my search for a study abroad program?
Please check out our Steps to Study Abroad webpage to see what your steps to study abroad are. There are six important steps, the first of which is to attend a general Study Abroad Information Session.
Do I have to speak another language to study abroad?
No! There are many programs, in English-speaking and non-English speaking destinations alike, that offer courses across all majors of study in English for our students. Students are then able to either take a course in a secondary language or find a program that does not have a language requirement at all (though we recommend taking at least an intro level language course to help you get around your host country).
What majors can study abroad?
Students from every major can study abroad. When considering study abroad, particularly for majors that tend to be very rigid in their course plans, it is very important to talk to your academic advisor as soon as possible to create a four-, five-, or six-year plan (depending on your major) to see when your best semester (or spring break or summer term) to study abroad is, as well as to discuss what classes you will need to take abroad to keep you on track. Once you know that information, you can research programs that offer courses in that specific term to keep you on track.
How will I receive my housing assignment?
Housing assignments will be sent via email.
What will be included in my housing assignment email?
- Student’s building and room information
- The link to log back into the housing application if you’d like to view any roommates and/or suitemates you were placed with
- Information regarding move-in appointments
Can I mail items to Butler before I arrive?
Please contact Residence Life about the ability to mail items before you arrive to campus.
Where can I find more information about Residence Life?
For more information about Residence Life, check out the Residence Life FAQ.
Can I switch rooms after moving in?
The ability to request a room change is offered at select times during the semester. When the request process is available, a link is posted on the Housing Portal in order for residents to begin the process to request to change. Due to limited availability, not all requests will be granted, and there are a series of initiatives that all residents must complete before a change can occur. Please note, submitting a request to change and/or indicating housing preferences does not constitute any guarantee of hall, apartment, unit, room or roommate assignment. Rooms and roommates are assigned or re-assigned without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or sexual orientation. The University reserves the right to make changes in room and roommate assignments at any time.
How do I know if there is a food service update or special event?
For the latest on service changes, café hours, closures, and other important updates that impact campus dining, follow Butler Dining on Instagram @bonappetitbutler. Keep an eye out for in-café signage, social media posts, menu mail (register here), and university communications such as Butler Today to stay informed about upcoming dining events and programs.
What are your different dining locations?
Marketplace @ Atherton Union
Opens for service on August 23rd, dinner only 4:30pm-8:30pm. Regular hours begin August 28th.
Monday – Friday
Breakfast 7:00AM – 10:00AM
Lunch 11:00AM – 2:00PM
Dinner 4:30PM – 8:30PM
Café will offer continental service between meal periods
Saturday – Sunday
Brunch 9:00AM – 2:00PM
Dinner 4:30PM – 8:30PM
Lovingly called “A-Town” by Butler students, The Marketplace Café is your all-you-care-to-eat dining option on campus. Located in Atherton Union, it features multiple hot food stations, a breakfast bar, salad bar, deli, soup station, and dessert bar – including soft serve ice cream! Students enter the café on the south side of the building and use one meal swipe (meal block) to scan into the café.
Midtown Provisions
Opens for service on August 26th
Monday – Friday
Breakfast 7:30AM – 10:00AM
Lunch 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Dinner 4:00PM – 7:00PM
Midtown Provisions is closed on the weekends
Midtown Provisions serves a range of customizable favorites from build your own bowls and quesadillas to sandwiches and pizza. Guests are offered a wide array of toppings, giving them the ability to create their sandwich or burrito bowl just the way they want it. Students using a meal plan for dining at Midtown Provisions will use flex meals or flex dollars from their account.
In addition to the breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, Midtown Provisions also boasts an assortment of quick snacks, Go! meals, and microwavable meals. Students will find plenty of classic sweet, salty, and tasty snack and meal options for when hunger strikes outside of those traditional meal periods.
Plum Market
Opens for service on August 26th
Monday-Friday
9:00AM – 12:00AM
Saturday-Sunday
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Plum Market is conveniently located on the lower level of Atherton Union. Part grocery store, part made-to-order restaurant, you can always find something at Plum Market! Students can enjoy coffee, tea, and refreshers from our local partner Hubbard & Cravens. The atmosphere lends itself well for study sessions, meetings, or group meet-ups – even late night. Students select an entrée, side, and a beverage to build a flex meal or utilize flex dollars from their account to shop for snacks, groceries, and other essentials.
Butler Brew
Opens for service on August 28th
Monday – Friday
8:30AM – 3:00PM
No service Saturday or Sunday
The business building that houses the Lacy School of Business, boasts a popular student-led coffee spot, featuring many local favorites. Butler Brew captures an entrepreneurial spirit and through strategic partnerships, supports local businesses. Student favorites include artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches, locally sourced pastries, Tea’s Me tea, smoothies, and coffee from Julian Coffee Roasters. Students on a meal plan use their flex meals or flex dollars to dine at Butler Brew.
Starbucks
Opens for service on August 22nd
Monday – Friday
7:00AM – 10:00PM
Saturday – Sunday
8:00AM – 10:00PM
A full-service Starbucks is located in Atherton Union adjacent to the bookstore. Students can utilize the Boost mobile ordering app to order ahead from this location. Starbucks accepts flex dollars.
Trip’s Corner Market
Opens for service on August 26th
Monday – Sunday
11:00AM – 8:00PM
Trip’s Corner Market is located in Apartment Village and is open daily, 11:00 AM–8:00 PM. Trips Corner Market offers a variety of grab and go items, produce, frozen meals, snacks, and toiletry items. Students can utilize flex meals and flex dollars to shop at Trips Corner Market.
I have a food allergy. What can I eat?
Bon Appétit at Butler University follows rigid protocols to safely serve students with food allergies every day. Some of the ways we make eating on campus easy for students with allergies include:
- Using consistent, descriptive menu nomenclature. We use descriptive naming to indicate the presence of any of the nine most common food allergens. The menu name will always include any house-made items used, the name of the dish or its restaurant-style description, as well as the cooking methods (such as frying) utilized, which may increase the risk of cross-contact. For instance, a menu item might be named Roasted Turkey, cheddar cheese sandwich on rye bread.
- Using menu icons or labels to help quickly identify and classify menu items. One label that is especially important for students with celiac disease or avoiding gluten is the made without gluten-containing ingredients label, “↓G”. When students see this icon they will know that item was made without any gluten-containing ingredients.
- Using designated areas of the café to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Latitude is designed with student safety in mind and allows Bon Appétit to utilize simple, whole, unprocessed ingredients to create meals excluding all of the nine most common food allergens and gluten. There is also an Avoiding Gluten? station located in Atherton Marketplace where students will find options that are all made without gluten-containing ingredients.
We encourage students to reach out if they have any questions about food allergies. Our trained chefs and registered dietitian are available to help answer any questions. If you have specific questions about navigating our cafes with dietary preferences or restrictions, please reach out to our registered dietitian Precious Nwokeleme precious.nwokeleme@cafebonappetit.com. You can always stop by Precious’ office in the Marketplace at Atherton Union, Room 112R – right off the café.
If I forget/lose my student ID, can I have lunch anyway?
If you have forgotten your ID, you will need to go back and retrieve it. If you have lost your ID, please go to University Police to get a new one, then email Butler Dining at food@butler.edu with your first and last name and new ID number so your meal plan can be reconnected.
May I use my ID to pay for both myself and my friend for a meal?
Yes! Depending on the type of meal plan you have there are a set amount of guest meals. The meal plan holder must be present with a valid ID when purchasing guest meals. Please see the bullet points below:
- Block 300, Block 250, and Block 220 meal plan holders have the ability to use half of their block meals as a Flex Meal or as a Guest Meal.
- Block 117, Block 87, and Block 57 meal plan holders have the ability to use all of their block meals as a Flex Meal or as a Guest Meal.
Do my unspent Flex Dollars carry over to the next semester?
Flex Dollars can be used in the Atherton Marketplace, Starbucks, Plum Market, Convenience Store, and Midtown Provisions. Students may dine, purchase items to go, or just grab a cup of coffee. Unspent Flex Dollars DO NOT rollover from Semester to Semester. Flex Dollars are not refundable.
How do I add Dawg Bucks?
Adding Dawg Bucks is easy. Simply click the link in your Butler App under your meal plan to add. If you have trouble, email Butler Dining at food@butler.edu
How do I view the daily menu?
Students are highly encouraged to subscribe to Menu Mail. Menu Mail is conveniently delivered straight to your inbox each morning and contains the daily menus as well as announcements about dining events and programs. This is a helpful tool as you plan your meals each day. Daily menus are also available at butler.cafebonappetit.com.
How can I share feedback or concerns with Butler Dining?
Butler Dining wants to hear from you! Text us at (317) 343-8411 with all dining-related questions, comments, concerns. You can also share your feedback with us via email (food@butler.edu) or by visiting https://butler.cafebonappetit.com and using the feedback submission form. Lastly, we encourage students to share feedback and concerns while they are still in the cafe – please leave us a note on our in-cafe feedback board or seek out a dining employee who will be happy to help you or find a manager or supervisor that can provide assistance.
Visit Counseling and Consultation Services online.
What is counseling?
Counseling is a collaborative process between a student and a trained professional aimed at helping the student identify concerns, develop alternatives, and gain an increased understanding of themselves and others.
What kinds of services does the Counseling and Consultation Services office provide?
CCS provides group therapy, couples therapy, and brief individual therapy, daytime crisis management, animal-assisted therapy, and medication management to currently enrolled students. We also offer educational outreach programs and consultations to students, faculty, staff, and parents. Information shared with CCS counselors is confidential.
What will my counseling cost?
All services are free to students.
What are some common reasons students seek counseling?
Students seek counseling for a variety of reasons including relationship concerns, adjustment to college life, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, eating and body image concerns, sexual and gender identity concerns, stress management, and trauma.
What are the hours for Counseling and Consultation Services?
Our business hours are:
- Monday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Tuesday, 8:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Wednesday, 8:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Thursday, 8:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Where is the Counseling and Consultation Services office located?
CCS is located in the Health and Recreation Complex, Room 120, adjacent to BU Health Services.
Visit the Butler Campus Store online.
How can I find out what course materials I will need for my classes?
Log in to Canvas, select “Follet Discover”, and select “Purchase.” You can also go to the Butler Campus Store online and select “Textbooks” to shop by your student ID number or select your term/course section. Once you enter your information, you will see what items you need along with the available purchase/rental options. You can purchase/rent from this website.
When should I purchase or rent textbooks for the fall semester?
We recommend ordering early and selecting “In Store Pick-Up” or shipping to your home.
What can I charge to my Student Account?
Students may charge course materials, supplies, technology, and health and beauty supplies to their Student Accounts. Student Accounts are available for use in the store and online.
How do I contact the Butler University Police Department?
You can contact the University Police Dispatch directly by dialing 317-940-BUPD (2873) for a non-emergency number and dialing 317-940-9999 for an emergency number. We recommend all students add this number to their phones and have it on speed dial.
There is a red “Police” button on the upper left-hand corner of the Butler App with the number. Campus Phone – There is a police badge sticker located on each campus phone which has BUPD’s telephone stored. Over 100 Code Blue Emergency Poles located throughout campus.
Does Butler University have a safety escort service for students?
Yes, the University Police Department has a safety escort service called Dawg Ride.
This on-demand safety transportation service allows students to safely traverse campus during the evening hours, especially when alone. Dawg Ride operates Wednesday to Sunday from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM during the academic year when classes are in session. University Police will perform safety escorts outside the Dawg Ride hours or if the Dawg Ride is unavailable.
To request a ride on Dawg Ride:
- Operational hours begin August 24, 2024
- Ride requests will be made using the TripShot app starting Fall 2024.
- Download the TripShot rider app from the app store.
- Initial setup – enter Butler University as the service name and hit next
- Log in with ButlerU_SSO using your Butler username and password
- Select the the Dawg Ride stop destination and origin from the list of stops
- Submit the request for a ride
Dawg Ride rules of use:
- Students are reminded to follow the University Alcohol Policy. The University Police will be contacted to investigate students under the age of 21 who appear to have been drinking or any individual (regardless of age) that is in a state of intoxication that endangers themselves or others.
- You may not ride this safety escort service more than two times in one evening. This service is not intended to be a mass transit bus service.
- We do not transport to off-campus locations, other than those noted on the attached map that are adjacent to campus property.
- At the driver’s sole discretion, no more than three riders will be transported from one location to the same location. (This rule does not apply to transportation to/from the “I” lot.)
Safety Transportation Escorts
The University Police Department offers safety transportation escorts to those students as an alternative to walking alone at night. This service is offered from dusk till dawn, for no more than 2 individuals, as officers become available. The safety escorts are available outside of the Dawg Ride operational hours. To request a safety transportation escort, please contact 317-940-BUPD (2873).
Do campus police officers have full police powers?
Yes. Butler’s police officers do have full police powers and are state certified. Their jurisdiction currently extends beyond the campus property to the city limits of Indianapolis. Officers have the authority to write both campus and Indiana State Traffic citations.
All Butler University Police Officers are Tier 1 Certified Law Enforcement Officers which is the highest in Indiana. Each officer must complete a minimum of 24 hours of in-service training each year to maintain their certification. BUPD averages 30 hours of in-service training per officer.
If I get hurt or have a medical emergency on campus, who will help me?
All Butler University police officers are trained by the Red Cross in CPR, AED, and First Aid. They will be the first to respond to your call for help and will contact additional medical personnel as needed.
Contact BUPD Dispatch 317-940-9999 and BUPD will start officers in addition to an ambulance if needed.
If I lock my keys in my car or need a jump start, will campus police help me?
Yes. The Butler University Police Department provides free jump starts and vehicle unlocking on and around campus.
Does Butler University have 24-hour police service?
Yes. The Butler campus is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by commissioned police officers with full police powers.